Things are STILL off the hook over there…
On the U.K. Parliament’s last night before beginning a month-long suspension, Prime Minister Boris Johnson failed for the 2nd time to earn the two-thirds majority necessary to call a snap general election.
Why it matters: Johnson was hoping to use an election to circumvent a law passed by Parliament last week that will require him to seek a Brexit extension rather than crash out of the EU without a deal on Oct. 31. The prime minister has said he would rather be “dead in a ditch” than seek an extension, but he now appears to be left with little other choice outside of breaking the law.
Six Times The Loser With No Brexit Plan B
Bloomberg
@business
Boris Johnson is vowing to work for a Brexit deal “while preparing to leave without one”
Order … ORDER
John Bercow says he will stand down as Commons Speaker and MP at the next election or on 31 October, whichever comes first. (BBC, Monday)
Speaking in Parliament, Mr Bercow said his 10-year “tenure” was nearing its end and it had been the “greatest honour and privilege” to serve.
If there was no early election, he said 31 October would be the “least disruptive and most democratic” date.
The ex-Tory MP succeeded the late Michael Martin as Speaker in 2009.
He has faced fierce criticism from Brexiteers, who have questioned his impartiality on the issue of Europe and claim he has facilitated efforts by MPs opposed to a no-deal exit to take control of Commons business.
He has also been criticised for not doing more to tackle allegations of bullying and harassment in the House of Commons.
Mr Bercow himself has been accused of mistreating several members of his own staff, which he denies….
Mr Bercow warned that if the appointment of his own successor was left until after the next election, newly-elected MPs might find themselves being “unduly influenced” by party whips in their choice of figure.
“It will mean a ballot is held when all members have some knowledge of the candidates. This is far preferable to a contest at the start of a Parliament where new MPs will not be similarly informed,” he told the Commons of his plans.
“We would not want anyone to be whipped senseless, would we?”
In an emotional speech, he said he had been proud to stand up for the interests of MPs and to act as the “backbenchers’ backstop”.
“Throughout my time as Speaker, I have sought to increase the relative authority of this legislature for which I will make absolutely no apology to anyone, anywhere, at any time.”
Mr Bercow received a standing ovation from the Labour benches after announcing his imminent departure, but most Tory MPs stayed in their seats.
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn led tributes, saying the Speaker had stood up for and promoted democracy, adding that the “choice and timing” of his exit date was “incomparable”.
For the government, Michael Gove said his determination to give MPs increased opportunities to hold the government to account were “in the best tradition of Speakers”….
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-49639828
Brexit: Protests as five-week Parliament suspension begins
BBC, 5 hours ago
Parliament has officially been suspended for five weeks, with MPs not due back until 14 October.
Amid unprecedented scenes in the Commons, some MPs protested against the suspension with signs saying “silenced” while shouting: “Shame on you.”
It comes after PM Boris Johnson’s bid to call a snap election in October was defeated for a second time.
Opposition MPs refused to back it, insisting a law blocking a no-deal Brexit must be implemented first.
In all, 293 MPs voted for the prime minister’s motion for an early election, far short of the two thirds needed.
Mr Johnson held a cabinet meeting earlier to update his ministers on Brexit, but a No 10 spokesman said the “bulk” of the meeting was focused on domestic issues.
The PM will later meet the leader of Northern Ireland’s DUP, Arlene Foster, and her deputy, Nigel Dodds, in Downing Street to talk about “a range of subjects, including Brexit”.
Parliament was suspended – or prorogued – at just before 02:00 BST on Tuesday.
As Speaker John Bercow – who earlier announced his resignation – was due to lead MPs in a procession to the House of Lords to mark the suspension, a group of angry opposition backbenchers tried to block his way.
Late into the night, MPs also burst into song on the Commons benches, singing traditional Welsh and Scottish songs, Labour anthem The Red Flag and hymns like Jerusalem.
BBC assistant political editor Norman Smith said “the uproar in Parliament wasn’t just Pantomime politics – there is genuine fury and incredulity that at such a crucial moment for the nation, the place is being shut down.”
During the five-week suspension, parties will hold their annual conferences but no debates, votes or committee scrutiny sessions will take place.
Boris Johnson will not face Prime Minister’s Questions until the period is over and his scheduled questioning by the Commons liaison committee on Wednesday has been cancelled….
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-49645338
(includes a 2-¼ minute video of MPs shouting objections and singing as the Speaker expresses his own exception to the prorogation)